Centre Allocates Remdesivir Supply To 19 States Facing Shortage; Maharashtra Gets Maximum Share

Of all the states, Maharashtra, the worst affected state by the Covid-19 pandemic, has been allocated 2,69,200 vials of the drug.

With a few regions in the country facing acute shortage of Remdesivir, the Union health ministry in coordination with Department of Pharmaceuticals on Wednesday made an interim allocation of Remdesivir for 19 States/UTs for the period up to 30 April, 2021.

Keeping in mind the sudden surge in demand for Remdesivir injections, the manufacturing capacity of domestic Remdesivir manufacturers has been ramped up as well, it said. Also Read: CPI-M Leader Sitaram Yechury's Son Passes Away Due To Corona; Yechury Appreciates 'Those Who Gave Hope'

Of all the states, Maharashtra, the worst affected state by the Covid-19 pandemic, has been allocated 2,69,200 vials of the drug. Other states share are as follow: Gujarat 1,63,500 vials, Uttar Pradesh 1,22,800 vials, Madhya Pradesh 92,400 vials and Delhi -61,900 doses, as per News18 report.

The initial allocation is dynamic and will be reviewed constantly in consultation with the states/UTs to ensure all needs can be met within the available supplies, informed the government. 

Why is Remdesivir significant?

Remdesivir is an investigational therapy drug given in acute and severe versions of Covid-19 where oxygen support is a must, this allocation pertains to 14 States to which medical oxygen is allocated and 5 other states where the high volume of supplies are being observed, the government said.

On April 11, the export of Remdesivir was stooped to shore up domestic supplies. On Tuesday, the government also waived customs duty on Remdesivir, including the raw materials and other components. The items include Remdesivir active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), injection Remdesivir, and beta Cyclodextrin used in the manufacture of Remdesivir. This import duty exemption would remain in force till October 31.

What does the allocation include?

The allocation includes bulk purchases made by the States as well as supplies through private distribution channels, the union health ministry noted. This initial allocation is dynamic and will be reviewed constantly in consultation with the States, to ensure all needs can be met within the available supplies, it said. The manufacturers have been advised to consider supply orders already made to them, geographical proximity with a State and terms of supply and give inputs for mapping of manufacturers to states for the allocated volumes.

What about the production of this drug?

 The production capacity of Remdesivir injections is being ramped up from the current level of 38 lakh vials per month to 74 lakh vials per month. The government also said that 20 additional manufacturing sites have been approved. 

What are manufacturers asked to do?

Manufacturers have been directed to manufacture and dispatch the supplies as per the agreed State allocation and mapping. They may be asked to balance supplies to the government and distribution channel.

“All States may place their supply orders to manufacturers, if not already done, either by Government purchase or distribution channel, within the above-mentioned State-wise allocation and manufacturer-wise mapping. In case any State does not require or is unable to fully utilize its allocation before 30th April, that would be available for reallocation to other States as per their requirement," the union health ministry said in a statement.

What are states supposed to follow?

The government said that the States may immediately appoint State Nodal officers for Remdesivir who will be responsible for unrestricted and timely movement of Remdesivir within their States as per the above-mentioned allocation and mapping..

The control room set up by the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) shall be responsible for monitoring the operations as per the allocations.

A WhatsApp group comprising nodal officers of states to coordinate unhindered movement of Remdesivir within the country is being created. Liaison Officers of Remdesivir manufacturers and officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Department of Pharmaceuticals, National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) will be part of this group for day-to-day monitoring and coordination," the ministry added. 

(With inputs from PTI)